Via Bleacher Report
Key Players: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thon Maker, Khris Middleton, Jabari Parker
Unless you count resigning Tony Snell as a major move, the Milwaukee Bucks did nothing this offseason. That would be a major no-no for most teams coming off an early playoff exit, but most teams don't have the ever-developing core of the Bucks. Basketball anomaly Giannis Antetokounmpo is coming off a year that can only be described as an anomaly. He led his team in every major statistical category, putting up a baby LeBron stat line of 22.9/8.8/5.4 along with 1.6 steals and 1.9 blocks per game. The Greek Freak was only the fourth player in NBA history to lead his team in such a statistically dominant way, and he became the first player in league history to be in the top 20 of total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Basically, no offseason moves were necessary. Add the expected development of Thon Maker and Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon and the uneventful offseason begins to make even more sense. Throw in a healthy Khris Middleton and Jabari Parker(post All-Star Break), suddenly the Bucks' offseason is somehow applaudable.
Best Case Scenario
Via Behind the Buck Pass
Development is the key word and the key to the Bucks' best case scenario. As good as the Greek Freak was last year(very good), he only shot 27% from deep last season. However, Giannis did bump that to an impressive 40% in the postseason--albeit in a limited sample size. If Antetokounmpo could sustain his postseason rate or just make the jump to a league-average 36% defenses would be forced to play him tighter, creating more driving opportunities. He's only 22, so he can continue to depend on his length and athleticism; but for the Bucks and Giannis to reach their full potential his shot has to develop. From one ball of potential to the next, Thon Maker consistently performing at the level he showed glimpses of during the playoffs is key to the Bucks' future. Kevin Garnett is even quoted as saying, "Maker will be the MVP of the league someday." Someday likely isn't this upcoming season, but the Bucks will definitely settle for a consistent X-factor in Maker this season. The last steps for a successful Milwaukee season is keeping Khris Middleton and Jabari Parker healthy for the playoffs, and seeing how much damage a fully-loaded Bucks team can do.
Worst Case Scenario
Via SnoTapWi
Your team's floor is pretty high when you have a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Eastern Conference. Worst possible scenario for the Bucks would be the team's success matches its offseason moves--stagnant. Superstars don't like stagnant. Think, LeBron James(twice), Chris Paul(twice), Kevin Durant, Paul George, Kyrie Irving, and the list goes on. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the process of Antetokounmpo leaving Milwaukee has already started. Giannis responded by posting the following:
Via Twitter
Rumblings of Antetokounmpo leaving aside, a lack of development from the Bucks' core would lead to basketball purgatory of being too good for the lottery but not good enough to be a true contender. To the frustration of Bucks' fans, most mid-market teams are more than content with this constant tread(ex. Hawks, Pacers,Grizzlies).
Prediction: 47-35 "Where is O.J. Mayo Today?"